JP5262254B2 - Analog pointing key structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an analog pointing key structure suitable for use in an operation device of an electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal, a PDA, or a game controller.

  Conventionally, as is well known, the rigid key top is fixed to the surface, and the rigid key top is allowed to be displaced in a direction along the surface at a position surrounding the rigid key top. And a support member provided with an elastic return portion capable of restoring the displacement, and is fixed to the support member and surrounds the rigid key top, and is positioned between the rigid key top and the elastic return portion. There is known an analog pointing key structure including a ring-shaped magnet member that detects a change in magnetic flux density due to displacement of the ring-shaped magnet member that is linked to the rigid key top.

For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a key top, and a support member having a pusher for pressing the contact input portion of the substrate facing the back surface on the back surface, the key top being fixed to the surface on the operation surface side, A magnet that is fixed to a support member at a side position of the pusher with the pusher at the center, a magnetic sensor that detects a change in magnetic flux density caused by the interlocking of the magnets accompanying the lateral movement of the key top, and a magnet and a pusher; There is disclosed an analog pointing key structure provided with an elastic flexible portion that allows displacement in the direction of the pressing operation by pressing the key top.
JP 2007-12591 A

  By the way, in the analog pointing key structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, the key top operation is defined only by the support member. For example, when the key top is pressed, the displacement of the key top is immediately restored to the key top. There was a problem that the reactivity of the magnet linked with the key top did not get worse. That is, such an analog pointing key structure with low operability has a problem of poor practicality.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a thin analog pointing key structure having good operability and excellent practicality.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means.
As a first solving means related to the analog pointing key structure, a rigid key top, and the rigid key top is fixed to the surface, and the rigid body in a direction along the surface is at least a part of a position surrounding the rigid key top. A support member provided with an elastic return portion which allows the key top to be displaced and which can restore the displacement; and is fixed to the support member to surround the rigid key top; and at least a part thereof Includes a ring-shaped magnet member positioned between the rigid key top and the elastic return portion, and a magnetic sensor for detecting a change in magnetic flux density due to the displacement of the ring-shaped magnet member interlocked with the rigid key top. In the analog pointing key structure, the rigid key top is allowed to be displaced in the thickness direction of the support member, being fixed to the back surface of the support member. And, and, and a recoverable elastic member displacement, to adopt means of.
Thereby, a part of operation | movement of the rigid key top can be prescribed | regulated with an elastic member. Further, the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction of the support member.

Further, as a second solving means related to the analog pointing key structure, in the first solving means, the elastic member includes the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member in a direction along the surface of the support member. A means of positioning is employed.
Thereby, the relative positional relationship between the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member is unchanged in the direction along the surface of the support member.

Further, as a third solving means relating to the analog pointing key structure, in the first or second solving means, a top provided on a surface side of the support member and provided with a through hole exposing the rigid key top Means comprising a cover and a ring-shaped covering member that is provided on the surface side of the support member and covers the ring-shaped magnet member between the top cover and the ring-shaped magnet member. Is adopted.
Thereby, even if the rigid key top is slid in the direction along the surface of the support member, the ring-shaped magnet member is not exposed from the through hole of the top cover.

Further, as a fourth solving means related to the analog pointing key structure, in any one of the first to third solving means, a substrate located on the back side of the supporting member, and the supporting member and the substrate And a switch sheet that is electrically connected to the substrate and supplies an electric signal to the substrate based on the displacement of the rigid key top, and the magnetic sensor is arranged in the thickness direction of the support member. A means is adopted in which it is arranged on the substrate so as not to overlap the rigid key top.
Accordingly, the magnetic sensor and the rigid key top are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction of the support member.

Further, as a fifth solving means related to the analog pointing key structure, in the fourth solving means, a substrate housing recess for housing the substrate and a bottom surface of the substrate housing recess projecting in a direction intersecting the bottom surface. A sheet metal provided with a protrusion and a top cover attaching surface to which the top cover is attached surrounding the substrate housing recess is provided with a front case integrally formed with resin, and the elastic member is in contact with the protrusion. And adopting means for limiting a movable range of the rigid key top in a direction along the surface of the support member.
Thereby, the movable range of the rigid key top is adjusted, and no load is generated on the support member in accordance with the sliding operation of the rigid key top.

Further, as a sixth solving means relating to the analog pointing key structure, in the fifth solving means, the magnetic sensor is provided on a sensor mounting surface of the substrate facing a bottom surface of the substrate receiving recess, and the sheet metal is A means is adopted in which a magnetic sensor escape hole is provided at a position overlapping the magnetic sensor in the thickness direction of the support member, and the magnetic sensor is accommodated in the magnetic sensor escape hole.
Thereby, the magnetic sensor is accommodated in the magnetic sensor escape hole.

According to the analog pointing key structure of the present invention, the operation of the rigid key top can be regulated not only by the support member but also by a part of the operation of the rigid key top by the elastic member. The displacement due to the operation can be restored immediately, or the positional relationship between the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member can be defined.
Further, since the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction of the support member, the degree of freedom in design can be improved and the thickness can be reduced.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide a thin analog pointing key structure that has good operability and excellent practicality.

  Further, in the case where the elastic member positions the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member, the relative positional relationship between the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member remains unchanged in the direction along the surface of the support member. Therefore, when the rigid key top is slid, the ring-shaped magnet member is also slid with the same amount of displacement, improving the reactivity and improving the operability.

  In addition, in the case where the annular cover member is provided, even if the rigid key top is slid in the direction along the surface of the support member, the ring-shaped magnet member is not exposed from the through hole of the top cover. It is possible to prevent the operability from being deteriorated due to adsorption to the member.

  If the magnetic sensor is arranged on the substrate so as not to overlap the rigid key top in the thickness direction, the magnetic sensor and the rigid key top do not overlap in the thickness direction of the support member. The degree of freedom in design can be improved while further maintaining the thickness, and the thickness can be further reduced.

  Further, in the case where the elastic member is in contact with the protrusion and restricts the movable range of the rigid key top in the direction along the surface of the support member, the movable range of the rigid key top is adjusted. Since no load is generated on the support member in accordance with the slide operation, the movable range can be set so as to be compatible with good operability, and deterioration in operability due to deterioration of the support member can be prevented.

  Further, in the case where the magnetic sensor is accommodated in the magnetic sensor escape hole, the magnetic sensor is accommodated in the magnetic sensor escape hole, so that the thickness can be further reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an analog pointing key structure A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the analog pointing key structure A includes a key sheet 1 formed in a sheet shape, a metal dome sheet 14 and a flexible substrate 16 which are stacked and attached to a front case 24. It is roughly structured. The front case 24 is formed by integrally molding the sheet metal 19 and the resin, but in FIG. 1, the sheet metal 19 is illustrated as being independent for easy understanding.

2 is an exploded perspective view of the key sheet 1, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the key sheet 1 viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the analog pointing key structure A. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the key sheet 1 includes a top cover 2, a top key rubber 13 (see FIG. 3), a determination key top 3, a determination key rubber 6, a stopper plate 10, and a ring-shaped magnet member 5. The blindfold plate 4 is provided.

  The top cover 2 is a member molded into a sheet shape, and includes a circular hole 2a and a plurality of substantially bay-shaped holes 2b. The circular hole 2 a is configured such that the determination key top 3 is exposed, and the plurality of substantially bay-shaped holes 2 b configure a button 2 c that can be pressed and returned in the thickness direction of the top cover 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the top key rubber 13 is a member made of a rubber-like elastic body and molded to be approximately the same size as the top cover 2. The top key rubber 13 is affixed to the top cover 2, and a plurality of button pushers 13 c project from the surface opposite to the affixing surface at positions corresponding to the buttons 2 c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the decision key top 3 is a member obtained by molding a hard resin into a substantially disk shape, and directly receives an operation in contact with an operator's finger or the like. The decision key top 3 is affixed to the decision key rubber 6 with an adhesive.

The determination key rubber 6 is a member obtained by molding a rubber-like elastic body into a substantially disk shape, and includes a circular sticking portion 7, a ring-shaped magnet fixing portion 9, an annular bellows portion 8, and an annular fixing portion 8a.
The circular sticking portion 7 includes a circular flat surface 7 a to which the decision key top 3 is stuck, and is molded at the center of the decision key rubber 6.
The ring-shaped magnet fixing portion 9 is a portion that is recessed from the circular plane 7a in the thickness direction of the determination key rubber 6 and has a cross-section in the same direction formed in a substantially U shape, and is annularly formed at a position surrounding the circular sticking portion 7 Molded.
The annular bellows portion 8 is a portion where the cross section in the thickness direction of the determination key rubber 6 is formed in a bellows shape, and is a portion formed in an annular shape at a position surrounding the ring-shaped magnet fixing portion 9. The annular bellows portion 8 can be elastically deformed when receiving a load acting along the circular plane 7a.
The annular fixing portion 8 a is a portion formed in an annular shape, surrounds the annular bellows portion 8, and constitutes the periphery of the determination key rubber 6. The annular fixing portion 8a is fixed to the periphery of the circular hole 2a of the top cover 2 with an adhesive.

  The ring-shaped magnet member 5 is made of an annular permanent magnet, and is housed and fixed in the ring-shaped magnet fixing portion 9. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the ring-shaped magnet member 5 is formed so that its inner diameter is smaller than the diameter of the circular hole 2a of the top cover 2 and its outer diameter is larger than the diameter of the circular hole 2a. Has been. Further, the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the ring-shaped magnet member 5 are configured such that the difference is larger than the slidable length of the decision key top 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper plate 10 is a member formed in a substantially disk shape, and includes a pusher portion 11 located in the center, a spring portion 12 surrounding the pusher portion 11, and the pusher portion 11. And an outer ring fixing portion 12a formed in an annular shape so as to surround the outer ring.
The pusher portion 11 is formed in a substantially disk shape, and as shown in FIG. 3, a pusher circle surface 11a formed in the direction of the metal dome sheet 14 (see FIG. 1) and the pusher circle. And a key top presser 11b projecting from the center of the surface 11a toward the metal dome sheet 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the pusher portion 11 has a load receiving surface 11 c formed on the opposite side of the pusher circular surface 11 a on the opposite side of the circular flat surface 7 a of the circular sticking portion 7 in the determination key rubber 6. It is fixed to the back surface 7b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the spring portion 12 is disposed so as to surround the pusher portion 11, and connects the pusher portion 11 and the outer ring fixing portion 12a. The spring portion 12 is set to a bending load that does not affect the click feeling when the decision key top 3 is pressed, and a load is applied in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction by the sliding operation of the decision key top 3. Is set so as not to be easily deformed.
The outer ring fixing portion 12a is formed in an annular shape, and as shown in FIG. 4, the outer ring fixing portion 12a is connected to the spring portion 12 and is fixed to the fixing surface 9a of the ring-shaped magnet fixing portion 9 facing the metal dome sheet 14. It is fixed to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the blindfold plate 4 is a substantially annular member, and has an inner diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the determination key top 3 and an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ring-shaped magnet member 5. The blindfold plate is affixed to an annular plane 4 a formed on the top cover 2 side of the ring-shaped magnet member 5. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the inner peripheral side of the ring-shaped magnet member 5 exposed from the circular hole 2a of the top cover 2 is covered so that the ring-shaped magnet member 5 is not visually recognized from above. .

Returning to FIG. 1, the metal dome sheet 14 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the metal dome having a switching function is connected to each button 2c (each button presser 13c) and the decision key top 3 (key top pressing). It is arranged according to the position with the child 11b).
In the metal dome sheet 14, eight sheet escape holes 15 having a rectangular cross section are provided circumferentially at equal intervals so as to surround the determination key top 3. The metal dome sheet 14 is affixed to the flexible substrate 16.

The flexible substrate 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and a plurality of electronic components are mounted thereon. In this embodiment, the Hall element 17 that detects the magnetic force acting by the ring-shaped magnet member 5 is mounted on the front case 24 side of the flexible substrate 16. Specifically, four Hall elements 17 are provided circumferentially at equal intervals so as to surround the decision key top 3.
The flexible board 16 has eight board escape holes 18 formed in the same shape as the sheet escape holes 15 so as to surround the four hall elements 17 at positions corresponding to the sheet escape holes 15. Are provided at regular intervals. Such a flexible substrate 16 is accommodated and fixed to the front case 24.

The front case 24 is formed by insert-molding the insert sheet metal 19 integrally with a resin.
The insert sheet metal 19 is formed on the key sheet affixing surface 23, a flexible substrate accommodating part 20 that is recessed from the key sheet affixing surface 23 and accommodates the flexible substrate 16, and a bottom surface 20 a of the flexible substrate accommodating part 20. Four hall element escape holes 21 and eight projecting portions 22 projecting in a circumferential shape are provided.

Four Hall element escape holes 21 are formed in a circumferential shape corresponding to the positions of the four Hall elements 17 mounted on the flexible substrate 16 accommodated in the flexible substrate accommodating portion 20, as shown in FIG. The hall element 17 is accommodated.
As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusions 22 are formed on the bottom surface 20a so as to surround the four Hall elements 17 so as to protrude in a substantially orthogonal direction. The hole 18 is inserted (see FIG. 5).
With such a configuration, the flexible substrate 16 is attached to the bottom surface 20 a of the flexible substrate housing 20.

Next, the operation of the analog pointing key structure A configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the analog pointing key structure A at a location different from FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 5, when the operator applies an appropriate load and slides the determination key top 3 in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (direction along the surface 6a of the determination key rubber 6), the determination key rubber is obtained. 6, the annular bellows portion 8 in the sliding direction is reduced, and the annular bellows portion 8 in the direction opposite to the sliding direction is extended. At this time, the ring-shaped magnet member 5 slides in the same direction by the same amount of displacement as the decision key top 3 in conjunction with the decision key top 3 via the stopper plate 10.

  When the ring-shaped magnet member 5 slides, the relative positional relationship between the ring-shaped magnet member 5 and the four Hall elements 17 (see FIG. 4) changes, and the thickness of the ring-shaped magnet member 5 and each Hall element 17 in the thickness direction changes. Since the amount of overlap changes, the difference magnetic flux is detected by the four Hall elements 17 and the position of the decision key top 3 is read. That is, the Hall element 17 supplies the magnetic flux density based on the position of the ring-shaped magnet member 5 to the flexible substrate 16 as a detection signal.

  When the decision key top 3 is further slid in the same direction, the peripheral edge of the stopper plate 10 abuts against the projection 22, and the projection 22 limits the movable range of the decision key top 3. Also at this time, the Hall element 17 continues to supply a detection signal corresponding to the amount of displacement to the flexible substrate 16. Even if the determination key top 3 is slid to the position where the peripheral edge of the stopper plate 10 abuts against the protrusion 22, the ring-shaped magnet member 5 is covered with the blindfold plate 4 and is not visible from above.

  When the operator removes the load, the deformation of the annular bellows portion 8 is restored by the return elastic force of the annular bellows portion 8, and the position of the decision key top 3 returns to the reference position.

On the other hand, when the operator pushes the decision key top 3 in the thickness direction, the peripheral edge of the circular sticking portion 7 and the spring portion 12 are bent in the thickness direction, and the decision key presser 11b is displaced in the thickness direction. At this time, this push-in operation is satisfactory without affecting the click feeling.
When the metal dome sheet 14 detects the displacement of the determination key presser 11b, the metal dome sheet 14 supplies a pressing signal to the flexible substrate 16.

  When the operator stops the pushing operation, the return elastic force of the spring portion 12 quickly eliminates the displacement of the decision key top 3 and returns to the reference position. The operator slides the determination key top 3 again in the same manner as described above with the displacement in the thickness direction of the determination key top 3 eliminated. At this time, since the displacement in the thickness direction of the decision key top 3 is eliminated, the key top pusher 11b of the decision key top 3 does not interfere with the metal dome sheet in accordance with the slide operation.

  As described above, according to the analog pointing key structure A, the stopper plate 10 is provided, and even if the decision key top 3 is pushed in, if the push operation is stopped, the displacement of the decision key top 3 is quickly eliminated and the reference is immediately made. Return to position. Then, the next push-in operation or slide operation is performed immediately.

As described above, according to the analog pointing key structure A according to the present invention, the operation of the decision key top 3 is defined not only by the decision key rubber 6 but also by the stopper plate 10 for pushing the operation of the decision key top 3. Therefore, the displacement caused by the pressing operation on the decision key top 3 can be immediately restored.
Further, since the positional relationship between the decision key top 3 and the ring-shaped magnet member 5 in the sliding direction is defined, when the decision key top 3 is slid, the ring-shaped magnet member 5 is also slid with the same displacement amount, and the ring-shaped magnet member The reactivity of 5 can be improved.

Further, in the case where the determination key rubber 6 is in contact with the protrusion 22 to limit the movable range in the direction along the surface 6 a of the determination key rubber 6, the movable range of the determination key top 3 is adjusted. Since no load is generated on the determination key rubber 6 in accordance with the slide operation, the movable range can be set so as to be compatible with good operability, and deterioration in operability due to deterioration of the determination key rubber 6 can be prevented. .
Further, in the case having the blindfold plate 4, even if the decision key top 3 is slid in the direction along the surface of the decision key rubber 6, the ring-shaped magnet member is not exposed from the through hole of the top cover, so that dust or the like is in a ring shape. It is possible to prevent the operability from being deteriorated by being attracted to the magnet member.
That is, operability can be improved.

  In addition, since the determination key top 3 and the ring-shaped magnet member 5 are arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction of the determination key rubber 6, the degree of freedom in design can be improved and the thickness can be reduced.

  In the case where the hall element 17 is arranged on the flexible substrate 16 so as not to overlap the determination key top 3 in the thickness direction, the hall element 17 and the determination key top 3 do not overlap in the thickness direction of the determination key rubber 6. Since this arrangement is adopted, the degree of freedom in design can be improved while the operability is maintained satisfactorily, and the thickness can be further reduced.

Further, in the case where the Hall element 17 is accommodated in the Hall element escape hole 21, the Hall element 17 is accommodated in the magnetic sensor escape hole 21, so that the thickness can be further reduced.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide a thin analog pointing key structure A that has good operability and excellent practicality.

Note that the operation procedures shown in the above-described embodiments, the shapes and combinations of the constituent members, and the like are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the shape of the decision key top 3 is a substantially disk shape, but may be another shape. Further, the material is not limited to hard resin, and may be made of metal or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, the Hall element 17 is used as the magnetic sensor. However, a Hall IC, a magnetoresistive effect element, a magnetoresistive effect IC, or the like may be used.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an analog pointing key structure A in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the key sheet 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an analog pointing key structure A viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 2 in the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a key sheet 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the analog pointing key structure A in a different location from FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Top cover 2a ... Round hole (through hole)
3 ... Decision key top (rigid body key top)
4. Blindfold plate (annular covering member)
5 ... Ring-shaped magnet member 6 ... Decision key rubber (support member)
6a ... surface 8 ... annular bellows part (elastic return part)
10. Stopper plate (elastic member)
14 ... Metal dome sheet (switch sheet)
16 ... Flexible substrate (substrate)
17 ... Hall element (magnetic sensor)
19 ... Sheet metal 20 ... Substrate housing part (Substrate housing recess)
20a ... Bottom 21 ... Hall element escape hole (magnetic sensor escape hole)
24 ... Front case A ... Analog pointing key structure

Claims (4)

A rigid key top,
The rigid key top is fixed to the surface, the rigid key top is allowed to be displaced in a direction along the surface at least a part of a position surrounding the rigid key top, and the displacement can be restored. A support member provided with an elastic return portion;
A ring-shaped magnet member that is fixed to the support member and surrounds the rigid key top, and at least a portion of the ring-shaped magnet member is positioned between the rigid key top and the elastic return portion;
In an analog pointing key structure provided with a magnetic sensor that detects a change in magnetic flux density due to displacement of the ring-shaped magnet member interlocked with the rigid key top,
An elastic member fixed to the back surface of the support member, allowing the rigid key top to be displaced in the thickness direction of the support member, and restoring the displacement;
An electric signal is supplied to the substrate based on the displacement of the rigid key top, the substrate positioned on the back side of the support member, and positioned between the support member and the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate. Switch sheet to
The magnetic sensor is disposed on the substrate so as not to overlap the rigid key top in the thickness direction of the support member,
A substrate housing recess for housing the substrate, a protrusion projecting from the bottom surface of the substrate housing recess in a direction intersecting the bottom surface, and a top cover pasting surface surrounding the substrate housing recess and having a top cover adhered thereto are provided. A front case in which the sheet metal is molded integrally with the resin,
The analog pointing key structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member limits a movable range in a direction along a surface of the support member of the rigid key top by contacting the protrusion.   2. The analog pointing key structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member positions the rigid key top and the ring-shaped magnet member in a direction along a surface of the support member. A top cover located on the surface side of the support member and provided with a through hole for exposing the rigid key top is provided, and the ring-shaped magnet member is provided on the surface side of the support member,
The analog pointing key structure according to claim 1, further comprising an annular covering member that covers the ring-shaped magnet member between the top cover and the ring-shaped magnet member.   The magnetic sensor is provided on the sensor mounting surface of the substrate facing the bottom surface of the substrate housing recess, and a magnetic sensor escape hole is provided in the sheet metal at a position overlapping the magnetic sensor in the thickness direction of the support member, 2. The analog pointing key structure according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is accommodated in a magnetic sensor escape hole.

Images